Cover photo for Walter  J. Blessey's Obituary
Walter  J. Blessey Profile Photo

Walter J. Blessey

d. September 17, 2017

Walter J. Blessey

Walter J. Blessey, IV, a native Biloxian, passed away on September 17, 2017 after a brave battle with cancer. Walter was educated in the Biloxi Public Schools and graduated with the BHS Class of 1957. He went to the University of Mississippi on a track scholarship, graduating with a B.S. in Accounting and a Juris Doctor. He served as first lieutenant in the United States Army in West Germany and earned a commendation medal for meritorious service in South Vietnam. Following military service, Walter’s career took him to Houston where he worked first in accounting, and then in venture capital investments. In 1987 he returned to Biloxi to be associated with Gulf National Life Insurance Co. as executive vice-president and CFO. In recent years he worked in private practice. Following Hurricane Katrina, Walter and his wife Katherine restored their damaged beachfront home to operate Chateau Blessey Bed & Breakfast and Chateau Blessey Catering. Walter was preceded in death by his father, Walter J. Blessey, III; by his son, Walter J. Blessey, V; and by grandson, Jason Khosravani. Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Geraldine Fountain Blessey; his wife, Katherine Tarczanin Blessey and her children: Michelle Hart Walker (Robert) of Gilmer, TX, John K. Hart, III, (Gillian) of Daphne, AL, and Kimberly Hart Bissell (Nathan) of Kingstown, RI. He is also survived by Mike Johnson and Mitzi Johnson Khosravani of Conroe, TX. Walter’s siblings are Gerald Blessey (Paige Gutierrez) of Biloxi and Tamalane Blessey (Gerald Pitalo) of New Orleans, LA. He is survived by nephews, Stephen Pitalo of Brooklyn, NY and Paul Pitalo of New Orleans, LA; and nieces, Grace Blessey of Austin, TX and Mary Blessey of Oxford, MS. Forever to keep loving memories of Big Daddy are grandchildren Gage, Olivia, Morris, and John-Bradley Hart; Robert, Jackson, and Gabrielle Walker, Kasha and Charlie Bissell, and John-Michael and Laura Khosravani. Memories of Walter will remain in the hearts of many relatives and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation, with memo in Walter’s name, to the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum—P.O. Box 1907; Biloxi, MS 39533; or to the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra—11975 Seaway Road, Suite B233; Gulfport, MS 39503; or online: www.gulfcoastsymphony.net A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral, 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530, on Friday, September 22, 2017, with visitation for two hours beginning at 10 am, followed by mass at noon. Interment with military honors will take place at Biloxi National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. Reception will follow at Slavonian Lodge; 159 Maple Street, Biloxi, MS 39530. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter J. Blessey, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, September 22, 2017

10:00am - 12:00 pm

Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral

870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, September 22, 2017

Starts at 12:00 pm

Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral

870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Cemetery

Biloxi National Cemetery

400 Veterans Ave., Biloxi, MS 39531

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 133

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree